Median Jumps 24% at Tattersalls' Foal Sale

by Edward ProsserTattersalls' December Foal Sale finished Saturday with a record aggregate of 23,295,600 guineas, up 27% on 2004, and a record median of 18,000 guineas, a 24% increase.

The 28,796gns average was the second best in the sale's history.

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony commented: "Strong yearling sales tend to produce strong foal sales and we have seen the feel good factor from our record-breaking yearling sales very much in play throughout the December Foal Sale this week.

"New records for turnover and median tell their own story but the surge in the median is the real feature of the four days. The 24% rise in the median shows the amazing depth to the trade and it has been a pleasure not only to see the vendors richly rewarded but also to see such sustained competition for the foals from start to finish.

"We have a good solid December Mares catalogue starting on Monday, but looking further ahead we may have to tweak the format of the Foal Sale in future years. The 2005 foal catalogue is the largest we have ever compiled and the numbers have undoubtedly placed some strain on the stabling. If next year's catalogue is of a similar size we may have to consider spreading the sale over five days, or look at other ways in which best to accommodate the numbers."

John Ferguson – buying for Sheikh Mohammed – purcahsed the second-top lot, again by Oasis Dream. She was a 200,000gns filly out of Spinnette (Ire) (Spinning World) consigned through Lynn Lodge Stud for the Lyons Demesne of Dr. Tony Ryan in a dispersal of his European bloodstock interests.

The breeding stock section of the December Sale begins Monday morning.